Abstract
The invasive species, Bactrocera invadens Drew Tsuruta & White, is a major pest of mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) and sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) in Côte d’Ivoire.. A better knowledge of its biology can improve the control of this new destructive pest. The study was carried out under semi-natural conditions of orchard and in laboratory at the insectarium of Cocody University (28.2 ± 2.7 ° C and 81 ± 3% RH). Thirty newly emerged couples of B. invadens were gathered. Five healthy fruits were presented to each couple every 24:00 until the death of the females. The duration of the biological cycle was of 20.93 ± 0.96 days on mango and of 23.83 ± 1.21 days on sweet orange. It comprises 3 larval stages, all infesting for the two hosts and a pupa stage followed by the adult stage. The number of eggs laid by a female was higher on mango (269.13 ± 41.20 eggs) than on sweet orange (58.97 ± 6.35 eggs). The rates of emergence on the two substrates were respectively 74.17 ± 2.71%, and 35 ± 3.08%. The lifespan of adult males was 82.96 ± 5.82 days on mango and 64.3 ± 2.9 days on sweet orange while life span of females was 75.96 ± 4.49 days on the first substrate and 54.7 ± 2.99 days on the second. Mango was the most suitable fruit species for oviposition and larval development of B. invadens. These results will allow a better determination of periods and means of intervention in the control of B. invadens.